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Video Games – Which console should you buy?

2017 has already been a fantastic year for video games and with E3 just around the corner things are just going to get better and better. For those looking to get into this hardware generation or for those looking to expand their current gaming set up there are great options from each of the three main companies, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Each company is offering excellent hardware but the question is which should you invest in?

At this point in the generation, Sony and their PlayStation 4 is the best place to play. When comparing the hardware of the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One there really isn’t much to differentiate them any more. Both are capable of playing the latest AAA third party titles. Both are offering 4K and HDR gaming with the Xbox One S and PlayStation 4 Pro. And both are extreamly capable multimedia entertainment units. While there isn’t much to separate them in terms of hardware its in the games that the PlayStation 4 races ahead of its long term rival.

As of pre E3 2017 Sony’s offering of games on their PlayStation platform is far superior to what Microsoft is offering on their Xbox platform. Yes the Xbox One has excellent exclusive games from their longstanding series such as Forza, Halo and Gears of War. Beyond those though the Xbox exclusives on offer are few and far between. It’s in these exclusives that Sony is consistently delivering fantastic titles. Currently available on the PlayStation 4 are games such as Uncharted 4, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Ratchet and Clank, Persona 5, Bloodborne as well as, despite it being a PS3 port, The Last of Us Remastered. Things only get better for Sony when we look into the future too. Going forward we have games to look forward to such as Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Gran Turismo Sport, Days Gone, Death Stranding, Detroit Becoming Human, God Of War, Spider-Man and The Last Of Us 2. That’s just the games we know about. There are sure to be some surprise hits in there too that elevate the platform even further. The Xbox One isn’t without its exclusives though, Microsoft just hasn’t given much indication into the future of their console yet which does leave that question up in the air. They are bound to release more entires in the Forza and Halo series but until they announce them, going with Microsoft will be going on an assumption not a guarentee.

Then we have Nintendo. After the global success with the Wii they went on to release the Wii U. Selling just 13.5 million units in 4 years despite having some great games Nintendo has course corrected and recently released the Switch. Despite being significantly underpowered compared to its competitors due to its hybrid handheld/console nature, Nintendo seems to have differentiated them selves in a great way. Growing up, most gamers had some sort of handheld be it a DS, PSP or Gameboy. It’s in the Switch that Nintendo has achieved that long term goal of home console quality games on the go. Having only released this year we already have The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Two excellent games with Zelda being labled one of the greatest games of all time. These arent just great games for a portable system either, these are great games full stop. If Nintendo can continue this momentum with the Switch they may be real contenders in this market despite being underpowered because they are doing what Nintendo does best, making fun games.

If you don’t have any of the current systems I cant recommend anything above the PlayStation 4. With hardware options to suit most people and the best game library available on consoles, it really is the best place to play.

For those with a PS4 already though I really would recommend getting a Switch. Yes you most likely wont be playing the big AAA titles on it but Nintendo seem to be all in on the Switch and so I believe we are going to get some great games going forward. Plus the portable aspect of it truly adds something unique to your gaming lives.

As for Microsoft’s Xbox One, if you’re looking to play online with your friends and they have Xbox Ones then yes you wont be disappointed with what Microsoft have to offer at all. Unless Microsoft have a killer E3 though, there currently isn’t enough reasons to recommend it above and beyond the other two systems.
For more coverage on each of these three systems and all the latest news from E3 be sure to check back here over the coming weeks.